The introduction of the facelifted Volvo C30 brings a new R-Design sport package with a spicy bodykit and chassis upgrades for the premium hatchback model. Visually, the R-Design adds an all-new color-matching bodykit front, rear and roof spoilers, lower door trim moulding and side-skirts along with visible chrome plated tailpipes, 17-inch five spoke alloys plus a silk metal finish for the front grille and door mirror housings.
The cabin finish includes a two-tone or alternatively all-black, leather interior, R-Design centre stack and panel inserts, a sport leather steering wheel, gear lever knob trimmed in leather and aluminum and blue speedometer and rev counter gauges.
However, the biggest changes in the new C30 R-Design, which makes its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, are hidden beneath the skin. In particular, the steering is more precise thanks to the installation of stiffer bushings while the lower steering ratio promises to offer faster response to steering wheel input.
Volvo's engineers also tampered around with the suspension that now features much stiffer springs, dampers and roll stabilizers to improve handling. Furthermore, the ride height has been lowered by 10 mm.
"A customer who test-drives the new C30 R-Design will immediately feel the difference," claims Stefan Sällqvist, manager Vehicle Dynamics at Volvo Cars. "Even before the car has covered fifty meters, the driver will be aware of the crisp steering and the distinct chassis response."
Detailed pricing on the R-Design sport package will be announced at a later date.

This is the first official photograph of the Volvo C30 Polestar Performance concept that was revealed today at the Gothenburg Motor Show (22-25 April, 2010). The hot hatch was developed in cooperation with Volvo's racing partner, Polestar Performance, as a road car version of their C30 racer.
According to the company, the C30 Performance Concept Prototype "was designed to evaluate what happens when a Championship-winning team of race engineers and designers get free-rein to design and engineer a car rather than developing it to fit very specific race regulations."
It features a heavily modified version of the standard C30's 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five with a larger turbo and intercooler, and different pistons, conrods and inlet camshaft. The result is an output of 405HP and 510Nm or 376 lb-ft of peak torque.
The hatch uses a Haldex all-wheel drive system and a Quaife mechanical differential while Polestar's engineers upgraded the car's suspension, braking and steering wheel systems.
It also features an aerodynamic kit derived from the STCC race car, large 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in beefy Pirelli P Zero 235/35 ZR 19 tires, and leather racing seats with four-point harness.

Polestar C30 Performance Concept Prototype Technical Specification

Engine:

Volvo T5: 2.5L Turbo with larger intercooler and KKK 26 turbo
Modified pistons, conrods and inlet camshaft

Power Output: 405 hp. Torque: 510 Nm

Drivetrain:
Quaife mechanical differential brake front and rear
Haldex AWD

Chassis:
Öhlins shock absorbers and springs
More responsive steering rack with 2,25 ratio

Brakes:
Front: Brembo 380mm discs with six piston calipers
Rear: Brembo 330mm discs with four piston calipers

Rims and Tyres:
BBS FI 19x8,75"
Pirelli P Zero 235/35 ZR 19

Interior:

Racing seats with Ternsjö leather and four point harness

Exterior:

Aerodynamics derived from the STCC race car